Zoe Hornsby has enough on her plate. Her pet grooming business
tucked inside her friends’ veterinarian clinic is busy, and all her free
time outside of work is dedicated to caring for her mother’s ailing
mind. Dating is certainly not on her agenda. For all she cares, the
town gossips of Redwood Ridge, Oregon, can set their matchmaking
sights on someone else. Because no way would she consider sexy
veterinarian Drake O'Grady her perfect guy. Once upon a time, she
may have harbored a little crush, but he’d only had eyes for her best
friend. And the crazy attraction building between her and Drake
now? Down boy, down.

After Drake lost his wife to cancer, he’s finally clawed his way out of
grief and beginning to feel more like a part of the human race. But
he’s appalled to learn his prying family thinks he's ready to jump in
the dating pool. And the woman they thrust at him couldn’t be more
inappropriate. As his dead wife’s best friend, Zoe is off limits. Even if
they seem to share a common sadness, she is too potent a
personality to get romantically tangled with. Yet she’s making his
heart beat and blood roar like he never thought it could again. And
he doesn't want to just exist anymore . . .